Mangaluru: Karnataka State government employees in Mangaluru held a mass leave protest on Thursday, as a part of the statewide stir against long-pending demands like the implementation of seventh pay commission recommendations and regularisation of workers under contract basis working.

The government offices in Mangaluru were seen empty today with most of the employees spotted at the mini Vidhana Soudha. Public Works Department (PWD) and Income Tax employees were all seen standing outside their respective offices.

Speaking to media, Karnataka State Government Employees Association (KSGEA), District President Prakash Nayak stated that there is heavy discrimination between the salaries of Central and State government employees. The basic pay of a Central government employee is nearly Rs 21000 where as a State government employee is paid Rs 9600.

“It will be an injustice to the newly appointed KPSC candidates as they would be paid less than what private jobs would offer them. Moreover the work load is heavier than the Central government employees,” he said.

He further added that no meetings were held yet to discuss the situation. All the employees hope that the higher authorities will find a permanent solution for this as soon as possible.

Future course of action

Prakash Nayak said that KSGEA is a registered association and the higher authorities should hold talks with it to find a solution.

“We have not decided the future course of action. But to intensify the protest, we are looking forward to hold strikes and even non co-operation in work,” he said.